Monday, September 17, 2012

The Seal Pups of Ohau Stream


One of the most amazing things I experienced while on holiday in New Zealand were these little six month old seal pups.







They are the cutest little things, but what is truly amazing about them is the journey they make up the Ohau stream. They swim, they clamber over difficult rocks, and they waddle along bits of a track beside you for about half a kilometre (it's a long way on flippers!) until the reach their destination.













As you turn the final corner of the walk you get to see why they make such an effort. Pouring out from between the mountains is a waterfall, with a perfect little pool beneath it. And there in the pool all the baby seal pups are jumping in and out and underneath the water that is swirling around. They go all this way, just to play.
















The pups play in the stream while their mothers are out hunting in the ocean. After a few days they waddle, clamber and swim back to the coast to meet their mothers returning from hunting. Then the wee seal pups feed on their rich mother’s milk.







I can’t describe the feeling of seeing this incredible display of nature - it brought tears to my eyes.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aww, gorgeous wee pups! Your photos are gorgeous...the first shot is to die for! What a sweet little tale, too. I can so clearly 'see' them waddling their chubby little selves over those rocks..."C'mon you slow pokes...we're nearly there...hurry up, hurry up!"
Makes me a little homesick *sniffle* but in a good way.

xxx

Anonymous said...

Absolutely adorable...great pictures!

littlecherryhill said...

Seal pups are absolutely beautiful! What an awesome experience :) Great photo's too! Love the last one :)